DICKSON@HARTFORD.BITNET (06/23/88)
Perhaps you remember my story. I upgraded my //e to a GS, and then bought
an AE RAMSaver, or whatever their GS-specific battery-backup card is called.
To my dismay, I found that it did not physically fit inside a //e case. With
a phone call, I discovered that Checkmate's card had the same problem. Not
willing to give up the much faster boot-time, I removed the top of my //e and
covered it with a cardboard box. My last letter (if I remember correctly) was
a request for info on buying empty GS cases so I could put my motherboard where
it belongs.
Well, I talked to a dealer, and discovered that the case would come in 3 or 4
pieces (top, bottom, hinge, and a little metal thing he couldn't identify, but
which is necessary.) All together, the cost would be approximately $110.
Since this sounded ridiculous, and would have eliminated the last $20 I've
saved by upgrading rather than selling the //e and buying the GS, I looked for
another route. I found it in the unlikeliest of places: A lumberyard.
Yes, with a sheet of 3/4" plywood, some 3/8" plywood that was lying around the
house, and some other stuff, I am now near the completion of a homemade //gs
case. Ah, but this is no ordinary case. It is about 15" front to back, 9"
tall, and perhaps 19" left to right. The motherboard (metal basepan trimmed
extensively) is attached firmly to a shelf in the box by screws. My 3.5" drive
is built in to the right of the motherboard, so that it will no longer make the
week-long trek closer and closer to the back edge of the desk every time I put
a disk in. Underneath the motherboard shelf is a drawer, large enough to hold
the Mac SE/II ADB Keyboard I bought (I HATE those little flat keys on the GS
keyboard....). The whole thing latches shut, has an old system saver fan built
onto the side, and has two of those little external Walkman speakers built into
the front (plugged into a SuperSonic card).
All in all, it's a nice arrangement, and makes transportation MUCH easier. I
suggest that if you run into the problems I did, or similar, don't pay the
ridiculous prices for simple things like a case. Wait for all the warranties
to expire, and then invalidate them all by building your own case. The results
can be very pleasing, and far better suited to your needs.
And I can't *wait* to see what they say at Computer Resources next time I
bring it in. I only hope it's large enough for the GS+ motherboard, should
it ever become a reality.....
That was in case you're interested,
Bill Dickson.
DICKSON @ HARTFORD.BITNET